David Hayes doesn’t feel there is much left to say about Ka Ying Rising, so instead he is pointing to the market — where the superstar sprinter could start as short as $1.05 with Australian betting sites.

The world’s best sprinter skipped trackwork at Sha Tin on Wednesday, opting for a swim instead — an apt reflection of how smoothly his preparation is trending as he chases a 16th straight win and a second victory in the Group 1 Hong Kong Sprint (1200m) on Sunday.

Remarkably, Hayes believes the five-year-old has improved again, even before his first-up win in the Group 2 Jockey Club Sprint (1200m) on October 23.

“We thought leading into the lead-up race that he had improved after the trip to Australia and I think his form will prove that,” Hayes said.

“I thought that visually what was his best win and his work since has been good.

“He’s in great shape.”

Hayes also rated the gelding’s recent hit-out on the course proper as his most impressive piece of work — not for the time, but for how effortlessly he did it.

But statistics and gallops aside, Hayes says the betting market is the clearest indicator of their confidence.

“There were a lot of people doubting him (in Sydney) and thinking that the Hong Kong form wouldn’t stack up,” Hayes said.

“I really wanted to have him perform well and get the ‘told you so’.

“This time is an unusual feeling. He will probably start $1.00 this weekend and the second favourite will probably be 25-1.

“In an international group one, I think the market tells you that he is very special and the market is a good guide when it is that extreme.”

Hayes will also saddle last-start beaten favourite Akashvani in the fourth leg of the International Jockeys’ Challenge at Happy Valley on Wednesday, with James McDonald taking the ride.

“He didn’t have the best of luck last start,” he said.

“He got squeezed out and got laid on in the straight and was only beaten a half-neck.”

If you’re having a bet on the Hong Kong Sprint or supporting the internationals, compare Australia’s leading bookmakers at JustHorseRacing’s bookmaker hub.